The WEC featherweight twice has fallen short in No. 1 contender bouts and dealt with a number of injuries as he carved out a spot in the UFC’s sister promotion.

But after recently returning to the winner’s column, Swanson (14-3 MMA, 4-2 WEC) is gunning for a third contender opportunity when he meets Chad Mendes tonight on WEC 50’s Versus-televised main card.

“I don’t know if I’m an underdog or a favorite,” he recently told MMAjunkie.com Radio (www.mmajunkie.com/radio). “I’ve heard both, and I don’t really care.”

During an open workout promoting WEC 50, Swanson said he needs two wins to get back into title contention, and Mendes is a hot prospect that could boost his stock. It’s frustrating that he’s come so close, but he’s determined not to slip again.

“With some of my setbacks and some of my injuries, I feel like I’ve got something to prove,” Swanson said.

The undefeated Mendes comes into the bout with strong wrestling credentials and the blessing of former featherweight champion and training partner Urijah Faber. He’s beaten his first two WEC opponents and needs Swanson to give legs to his title run.

Swanson, who splits time between Palm Springs, Calif., and Albuquerque, N.M., recently dispatched John Franchi at WEC 44 after he was knocked out by a flying double knee from current champion Jose Aldo at WEC 41.

The veteran thinks it’s pretty clear what’s going to happen when he meets his opponent in the center of the cage: Mendes is going to through a few punches and then shoot for a takedown. He’s been in the game long enough to know that no matter what an opponent says, he’s going to play to his strengths, particularly when an opportunity is on the line. But with more than twice the number of fights to his resume, Swanson feels ready to counter the prospect’s skills. Experience will be on his side.

“It’s his wrestling against my everything,” Swanson said. “I’m definitely (going) to get some real good shots in there. I think I’ll be able to stuff some of his takedowns. We anticipate him taking me down a few times – he’s just too good of a wrestler – and so we work for get-ups and submissions and everything between.”

But Swanson primarily wants to let Mendes know that he’s outgunned in the stand-up realm of fighting.

“I definitely want to keep it on the feet as much as I can because that’s where he feels uncomfortable,” he said. “He wants to take me down because that’s where he feels comfortable. I’m definitely scrambly and squirrelly, and that’s the reason I’ve always done so good against wrestlers.

“Even my chiropractor is like, ‘Man, you’re hard to adjust because your body just moves weird.’ I [use] that to my advantage.”

Lately, it’s been a joy just to be injury-free. Swanson broke both of his hands in his bout with Franchi and was inactive for the first half of 2009. (Hand injuries have been one of several injuries that have stalled his WEC career.) But this camp has been refreshingly free of any problems.

“I chalk it up to bad luck I guess,” Swanson said. “But I try to stay positive and say I’m always getting better. It’s just prepping me for when my time is (going to) come.”

Even with the injuries, it’s not like he’s going to stay out of the gym. His goal is to be champion, and nothing is going to stop him.

“That’s what people don’t realize,” Swanson said. “I’m in the gym with one cast on and one glove on, sparring. I really don’t care. It’s what I love to do.”

He’s had more than a half year on the bench, but by now, he’s accustomed to layoffs. They’ve become a time in which he can study technique.

“The big thing that people don’t realize is that when I train all the time, I’m getting better,” he said. “I feel like I haven’t even hit my peak, and that kind of scares me.”

With ample time under his belt, he’s ready to catch a good break. He’s gone through enough trials and tribulations. A good string of performances is all he asks for.

MMAjunkie.com Radio broadcasts Monday-Friday at noon ET (9 a.m. PT) live from the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino’s Race & Sports Book. The show is hosted by Gorgeous George, MMAjunkie.com lead staff reporter John Morgan and producer Goze. For more information or to download past episodes, go to www.mmajunkie.com/radio.

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